The sun was setting as Ash walked at the head of the group of travelers, next to Aoba on Tauros. Melanie was busy making sure that the magikarp in their group was alright after being carried for so long. Some of the Squirtle Squad walked with Ash in front and the rest joined Bulbasaur in bringing up the rear.

Ash fidgeted and played with his coat while he hiked next to the wounded man. Pikachu gently snored from on top his head. Aoba looked straight ahead, wincing whenever Tauros moved too roughly for his wounds.

"So, uh," Ash began, "you really have no idea why Team Rocket wants you?" And then Ash thought about what he had said and then winced. He of all people shouldn't be asking about that….

Aoba was silent at first and Ash hoped that the man hadn't heard him. And then Aoba decided to speak. "No, not really," the man said in a tight, tired, voice.

"Oh," Ash replied, looking down at the path ahead.

"I-" Aoba continued hesitantly, "I might have a guess, but that was before I knew it was Team Rocket."

"What is it?" Ash asked, looking over at the man. Aoba didn't meet his gaze, face pale, and looking sicker than usual.

"I don't want to discuss it," the man grunted out. "I- I just don't see how it could be connected to Team Rocket, that's all."

Ash just shrugged. They walked in silence for another minute or so before Ash opened his mouth again.

"Who's Ted?" The boy asked the man.

He might as well have punched the man. Aoba flinched and his eyes squeezed closed. He drew in a ragged deep breath.

"How did you hear that name?" Aoba managed to squeeze out.

"Um, we heard you calling for them in your sleep," Ash said, eyes widening.

"Ted," Aoba clenched his hands tight in Tauros's fur, "Ted, he was my lover. He's dead."

"I'm sorry," Ash said automatically.

"We were together five years," Aoba continued, eyes wet. His voice was heavy and raw. Each word was spoken like it hurt the man to say. "And he died from poison that was meant for me."

Ash didn't know what to say to that. Ash didn't know if there was anything to be said to that.

Their journey continued for another minute of awkward silence on Ash's part and silent tears on Aoba's part. Ash was regretting ever having opened his mouth.

Still, one more thing was nagging at him….

"Five years and you didn't marry him?" Ash asked. "Uh….. isn't that-"

This time Aoba laughed through his tears. It wasn't a very typical laugh. It was ugly, and desperate, and the tears hadn't ceased, but there was an undercurrent of honest surprise that cut through everything else, and a tiny hint of actual joy.

"He's, he was from Johto," Aoba managed to choke out between sobs and laughs. "They do things a bit differently there."

"Huh?" Ash's limited education had mainly been about Kanto and Hoenn to a lesser extent. He had no idea what Aoba was talking about.

"Marriage, or at least that sort of marriage, was usually reserved for nobility in Johto," Aoba managed to say eventually. "It never caught on with the masses like it did in Kanto, even when they were part of the same country before the Great War. Instead there was another ceremony that they had if someone and their partner or partners had a child. Or if they adopted a child."

"Oh," Ash replied. His limited education had never covered such topics. "Errr…. Do you know why it's different over there?"

"I was a biochemist, not a historian," Aoba smiling for the first time since Ash had seen him. "I don't know why the two regions are different. I'm just glad that he wasn't from Sinnoh."

"Why?"

"They don't do weddings so much as wedding festivals there," Aoba said, smiling and gently laughing at some memory. "The people getting married, and their families, have to provide a weeks' worth of fireworks, food, ceremony, and dancing. That would have been a nightmare to arrange."

"Oh," Ash replied, not sure if he should be daunted by the logistical requirements or not.

"Still it would have been….." Aoba's smile disappeared as his voice trailed off. "It would have been…"

"What? What would it have been?" Ash asked, but Aoba didn't answer. Instead silent tears fell onto Tauro's back.

I think we've got company, Pidgeotto said, fluttering down to land on Ash's arm.

Ash, Melanie, Aoba, and all the pokémon from the village were standing by a small creek. The sun was low in the sky and they had decided to stop there for the night. Ash had sent Pidgeotto out on one more patrol and everyone had gathered when he had told them that she was returning.

"Did you see anything?" Ash asked, looking at Melanie and Aoba out of the corner of his eyes.

Right, forgot about that whole thing, Pidgeotto said, picking up on the hint and nodding.

This is really annoying, Pikachu commented from on top of Ash's head. Maybe Butterfree could 'accidently' put them to sleep for a few minutes so we could skip all these question games….

"Did it look like people?" Ash continued, ignoring Pikachu.

Pidgeotto nodded.

"Did it look like they were the people from before?"

Again, Pidgeotto nodded. Melanie let out a little gasp, before covering her mouth with her hand.

"Could you tell if they were following us?" Ash asked.

They were, Pidgeotto nodded again, looking annoyed. Wow, Pikachu was right, this really is annoying.

Right! Pikachu interjected.

Ash turned to Melanie and Aoba, ignoring his pokémon's commentary.

"So, they've found our trail," Melanie said. "How many did you see?"

I saw five- oh wait, I need to do this, Pidgeotto rolled her eyes and then pecked Ash's hair five times.

"Hey, quit that," Ash said trying to fend her off with his other arm.

"Only five?" Aoba said.

"Brock and Misty must be dealing with the rest," Melanie said.

"Did you see what pokémon they had?" Ash asked, after Pidgeotto had quit pecking his hair.

Pidgeotto shook her head.

There might have been more people that your pokémon didn't see, Bulbasaur spoke up from his spot by Melanie.

"Hmmm….. I'm guessing that was about things Pidgeotto didn't see?" Melanie asked.

Yes, Bulbasaur nodded, and then pokéd at her with one of his vines. She giggled and then spoke again.

"About people that Pidgeotto didn't see?" Melanie continued. Bulbasaur nodded.

"I guess it's true, if you spend enough time with a pokémon you can start to understand them," Aoba commented from his spot sitting against a tree.

"Well I certainly know what Bulbasaur tends to think about," Melanie replied, looking down at the grass type and smiling. "Or should I say, worry about."

Someone's got to stay on top of things, Bulbasaur grumbled.

"How close were they?" Ash asked Pidgeotto. And then he remembered that he wasn't supposed to understand her answer clearly and went on. "Could they reach us in a day?"

Yes, Pidgeotto said, nodding.

"Less than a day?"

Yes, Pidgeotto said. Maybe four hours?

"How many hours out are they," Ash asked.

She just told you….. Pikachu groaned. Couldn't we do this without the other humans?

I know, Pidgeotto agreed, pecking at Ash's hair four times; the boy didn't remember to shield himself until it was too late. This is really tedious. Is this how it's like for normal trainers?

A little bit, Bulbasaur spoke up. But as they've mentioned, when you've been with a human for a while they can understand what you mean even if they don't know what you actually said.

"Should we keep moving?" Melanie asked, looking around the forest like Team Rocket might burst out of the trees at any moment. She then glanced over at Aoba, who had done his best to put on a stoic expression, but couldn't hide the way his face paled at the suggestion. "Or maybe not."

We should just keep watch, Bulbasaur said, pointing to one of his eyes with a vine.

"You want us to keep watch?" Ash grimaced. "I guess we have to."

Oh, quit your whining, Bulbasaur grumbled, rolling his eyes. You can have first watch since you're such a delicate little flower.

Don't worry about waking up, Pikachu added, gently tapping the back of Ash's head. I can give you a 'jump start' if you need it.

Ash groaned. It looked like he'd have to get used to being tired.

Ash was sitting down as the sun finished the last stages of its journey. He poked at the remains of his dinner, a combination of dried fruits and dried meats. His pokémon sat around him, digging into their pokéchow with obvious relish.

Ash looked at the happy faces of his pokémon. He looked at his own dinner.

Life isn't fair, Ash groaned.

It isn't? Butterfree asked, perking up.

I don't know, I think it's going pretty well, Pidgeotto replied, picking her head up from her food.

Pikachu just rolled his eyes and continued to stuff his face into his food.

We're being hunted, again, Ash grumbled, we're not going to get enough sleep-

We aren't? Butterfree asked.

He has to stand watch tonight, Pidgeotto informed Butterfree.

Oh, Butterfree said. He stood there for a second, pondering. But what does that have to do with the rest of us sleeping?

Absolutely nothing, Pikachu popped his head up from his food, an evil grin on his face.

Ash groaned and then glared at his devilish pokémon. Pikachu just kept grinning.

Can I help? Butterfree asked, fluttering over to his trainer.

With watch?

Yes! Butterfree trilled. I can stand part of your watch for you.

Thanks, Ash gave the bug type a soft smile and reached out to gently rub his head. But we need a human to do it, so that they can shout a warning that everyone can understand.

Okay, Butterfree replied, his antennas drooping slightly. Is there anything else I can do?

Sorry, Ash said, still rubbing the bug type's head. But I got this.

Are you sure? Butterfree nuzzled the side of Ash's face. I can't imagine that this is easy for you

You're right, Pidgeotto piped up. I didn't think about the fact that you're being hunted again. You don't seem bothered by this, but are you just hiding it?

No, Ash shook his head. I talked with Pikachu about this a little. Short version, I don't want anyone to be hunted. And, quite frankly, I don't think I'm scared of Team Rocket anymore. I mean, we've what, beat them three times now? Well, the second time was more of a draw, but…

You were really scared the first time though, Butterfree pointed out.

Yeah, but you guys showed me that I didn't need to be, Ash replied, reaching out to hug Butterfree and Pidgeotto.

What, no hugs for me? Pikachu crossed his forelegs and pouted.

You get plenty of hugs, Pidgeotto pointed out from within Ash's arms. More than the rest of us in fact. It's our turn for hugs right now.

Yeah! Butterfree exclaimed.

Oh, fine, I guess I should take pity on the easily electrocuted flying types, every now and then, Pikachu sighed. I guess I can let you borrow my idiot for a while.

Our idiot you mean, Pidgeotto corrected.

I don't think Ash is an idiot! Butterfree added.

Thank you Butterfree, Ash said, lopsided grin on his face.

At least not most of the time, Butterfree continued.

Hey!

Dawn's light arrived far too early for Ash. He felt like he had just laid down his head, after his watch had ended, and now it was morning. The poké-raised child groaned and sat up, stretching. He looked around, hoping to see Brock, with a hot plate full of breakfast, and then remembered that the other human male was hopefully attacking the main force of Team Rocket.

Finally, Pikachu yawned from next to Ash's sleeping bag. I thought you were going to sleep forever.

I'm sorry that I had to keep watch while you went right to sleep, Ash glowered. Next time we can trade places.

Nah, I'm good, Pikachu replied. You stare at trees and worry, while I get to sleep.

Why did I want to become a pokémon trainer again? Ash groaned, looking up at the clear sky above.

I'm guessing you weren't expecting to have to put up with such a pikachu, Bulbasaur said from where he had been sleeping nearby.

Electric types always have such a high opinion of themselves, Squirtle yawned, getting up from the pile of shells where he and his squad had been sleeping.

Well, I d-don't think Pikachu's too bad, Charmander said, picking himself up from where he had been sleeping, snuggled up against Tauros. But he could be nicer to Ash.

Ash could stand to be nicer to me, Pikachu protested. Under his harsh training regimen, I've stopped gaining weight. My perfectly plump pikachu figure is at risk here! You need to start feeding me more stat!

You'll survive, Ash said in a deadpan tone, gently poking Pikachu's stomach. Besides, you might gain more weight if you spent more time in your pokéball.

Never!

Would that really make a difference? Squirtle asked Ash. You let him ride you everywhere after all.

It would shut him up, which is a worthy goal in and of itself, Bulbasaur said.

Surrounded by enemies on all sides, Pikachu fell back, the back of his forepaw against his forehead. Hopeless and alone. What's a pikachu to do?

Miss breakfast on account of being a drama queen, Ash suggested, digging in his pack for something to eat. He pulled out some of the energy bars that Misty and Brock had lent him and grimaced.

How much do you like pokéchow? Ash asked Pikachu.

It's not as good as pastries, but it's okay, Pikachu answered, picking himself up from his mock-faint. Why?

Just wondering, Ash sighed, getting out some bags of pokéchow for the rest of his pokémon.

Ash let out Butterfree and Pidgeotto and poured out some food for each of his pokémon. While they dug into the food Ash gingerly unwrapped the energy, took a bite, and gagged. It tasted like cardboard. It was worse than some of the edible raw roots Poison Lance had occasionally foraged. It was heavy and an absolute pain to chew.

Ah, Pidgeotto sighed as she gobbled down some of her food. Nothing like a good meal…

Nothing like a good meal indeed, Ash muttered, glaring at his miserable excuse for breakfast.

Does everyone feel up to fighting today? Bulbasaur asked the group of pokémon and one human while they all ate.

You think they're going to attack today? Butterfree asked.

No, but we know they're out there, Bulbasaur replied. They might attack at any time. We'll want to have Pidgeotto fly close patrols at all times.

Butterfree, you should also stay out today, so you can focus on trying to sense the enemy, Ash added. Stick close to Melanie so you can protect her.

That's my job! Charmander protested.

Butterfree can help you then, Ash replied, gesturing to the bug type with the hand holding the energy par. Bulbasaur, you and I should stick close to Aoba. Between you and Pikachu we should be able to stop most of their pokémon if we can react in time.

We should also have at least one member of the Squirtle Squad with us, Bulbasaur suggested. To cover more possible type advantages.

That would help, but I thought they'd have to guard wherever we aren't, Ash replied. I mean Tauros usually leads the way to clear a path, Aoba rides him because no one else can carry him, and Melanie's in the middle to make sure all of the pokémon from the village are okay. So, I thought most of the Squirtle Squad would guard the rear.

We can do that, Squirtle said.

And we'd want the rest scattered throughout the pokémon from the village to make sure that they're safe, Ash went on. Plus, that means they won't be able to take out the squad with one attack that has type advantage.

I'm pretty sure they don't have any pokémon that could do that to us, or they would have fought us with them already, Squirtle pointed out between bites.

No, Ash is right, Bulbasaur said. The attack on the cave was just meant to drive us out into the open. If they had a pokémon that could take out the squad it would have been saved for that.

But then it was probably squished by Onix, Pidgeotto stated.

I don't know, Ash said, chewing on one side of his mouth. We didn't see who got away. We didn't even really see who we- who we did get.

Then maybe they should split up even more, Butterfree suggested.

But then we won't be fighting at our best, Squirtle replied.

Yep, we've got to do our best to balance things out, Ash said. But that's why Pidgeotto and Butterfree are going to be important today. If we know what they're sending after us then we'll know if the squad's in danger.

We can stay spread out even while guarding the rear of the group, Squirtle added. It's not perfect, but it should help. We can regroup quickly enough when trouble comes calling.

So, is that everything? Ash asked. We got Butterfree and Charmander with Melanie, the boy said, counting things out on his fingers, Pidgeotto on short range patrols, Pikachu, me, and Bulbasaur with Aoba, and part of the Squirtle Squad mixed in with everyone else, with the rest guarding the rear? Am I forgetting anyone?

Nope, Squirtle replied.

Alright, Ash said stretching and fighting a yawn. I'll go wake up Melanie and Aoba and then we can get going.

The group from the village spent another day traversing the forests between Saffron City and Vermillion City. The valleys and ridges from around Melanie's village gave way to a gentle downwards slope and finally to tree dominated flatlands. Puffs of cloud drifted lazily overhead in the deep blue of the sky. The group could hear flying types in the trees again as they traveled.

Morning passed without incident. Ash had another energy bar for lunch and his taste buds hated him for it. The herbivorous pokémon from the village foraged as they traveled and the others would have to wait until they stopped for the night.

Pidgeotto made sure to stay in sight as she circled party, keeping an eye out for their pursuers. She dropped back in to rest on Ash and reassure the group that she hadn't seen anything worrisome. The Squirtle Squad played and bickered amongst themselves. Butterfree alternated between fluttering by Melanie and resting on her back or shoulders. Pikachu took a nap on Ash's head.

Their peaceful start to the journey was almost enough to make them forget they were being hunted.

AN: I'd like to thank BlackCatSpecialist for beta reading.

This part was originally meant to be the first part of a longer chapter, but plans changed.

Next week's chapter should come out on schedule.

Don't forget to review!

:AN